Incorporating FODMAP Dietary Restrictions: Help or Hype?

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is defined by abdominal pain and alterations in stool patterns. It is a common disease with a heavy burden on patients and providers. Pharmaceutical and psychiatric therapies have low success rates. A diet low in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAPs) has been suggested to treat symptoms of IBS by reducing consumption of poorly absorbed and indigestible carbohydrates. This decreases the amount of water in the bowel lumen and the amount of fermentable sugar available for colonic bacteria. Several recent randomized trials in patients treated for IBS with low-FODMAP diets have demonstrated improvements in IBS symptoms and stool characteristics. However, studies to date have had limitations, and the long-term efficacy and health impact of low-FODMAP diets is not known. Ongoing research will help address the benefits of low-FODMAP diets for IBS and other diseases.